Vetiver (2000)
by Floris

Bergamot, lavender, lemon
Cinnamon, clove, coriander, geranium, vetiver
Amber, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, cedarwood, tonka bean
This is a superb, classy scent. It is a crime that this gem is being discontinued. The opening is rich with plummy-aromatic bergamot, freshened by citrus and the merest whiff of lavender. Vetiver quickly appears, along with lovely warm spice notes. These two elements combine in a most pleasing way. The vetiver is very well done: dry, grassy-woody, typically tangy. It is not heavy and soapy as in Guerlain. Then, great wood notes appear: sandalwood and its usual friend, cedarwood. The sandalwood is very natural and enjoyable. This is a complex scent – more than simply vetiver, I’d call it a woody-spicy vetiver. It has depth and endless charms as it drys down. The vetiver and spices provide a comforting yet also invigorating tone. I like to think that the frankincense adds a subtle green note. This has my highest endorsement!

Floris Vetiver is very much like Route du Vetiver in the top and the middle levels – smoother than Route du Vetiver, but what wouldn’t be? I love the raw (yet not rude) vetiver presented here, and the cedarwood and sandalwood provide a very rich and deep support for the vetiver without interfering with the impressive indelicacy of the Floris’ vetiver note. The vetiver moves into, but doesn’t stay for the length of, the heart of the fragrance. Here we experience the spices and a little bit of geranium. Very nice… The spices are quite civilized and well behaved; they continue the rich silkiness of the opening’s background. The base is devoid of vetiver and it is very classic constructed. I was at first a little disoriented by the base because I expected the vetiver to play an important part there too. It doesn’t… it seems to disappear completely. But the base is markedly formal and exceptionally well done and appealing – I admire it, but it just doesn’t strike me as the appropriate ending for an edgy vetiver fragrance like this one. Floris Vetiver has a very nice sillage and longevity. I own five or six bottles of vetiver fragrances, and I considered, for a while, adding Floris Vetiver to my stable – it’s excellent, but, when everything is considered, it’s a bit redundant to my Route du Vetiver. Praiseworthy fragrance, though.

Floris has a smooth texture in all of its fragrances. This is a simple though dirty vetiver with that same smooth texture.

I am a fan of Floris; their range is classy and seldom, if ever at all, trendy (a word used, I might add, disparagingly).

Vetiver starts out nicely citrus'd, with the grassy vetiver pretty tame... like putting the wildman Vetiver into a bespoke tuxedo. If the scent stayed linear, I'd be happy. However, there arises a strange note... after repeated sniffing of the wrists I can only compare it to the smell of rice crispies. And thus did the tuxedo turn into a toddler's bib.

Sorry Floris, I love ya, but this one is a pass.

Absolutely astounding! I received a couple of samples and immediately this one got my attention. I would apply it and keep sniffing my arm. It's so masculine, so powerful and smells oh so divine. It's vetiver complimented by hints of spice to produce a somewhat silky effect. I kind of detect leather and tobacco in it. Whether it exists or not is something else. My nose says it does. One of the hidden gems of the industry. Probably nearly as good as Guelain's Vetiver, i'm still not sure. I prefer the citrus blast GV delivers upon spritzing. Layered together, they are perfect.

This scent is not for me - It does not mean it is bad at all.
I think you must be a Vetiver "person" and I think you will love it.
Some basenoter would call a Vetiver dirty as a compliment - well I think this one is very dirty.
This is longlasting power and this is not shy - it is a bit of an animal but it has been well bred by Floris.
For the Vetiver fans out there

laurent